This project consists of various documents regarding Petitions for Naturalization in Delaware during the years 1796-1959.

This project has been given a difficulty rating of average, because the form types range from simple fill in the blank forms, to documents that are completely handwritten.

This project has some unique instructions – please read over the following carefully.

You will encounter the records in two distinct groupings. One grouping will be the same type of form for every image in the image set – each record you encounter should be keyed on a separate line.

The other grouping will be Naturalization packets which have all of the relevant forms for the individual grouped together – for this grouping you will only be keying the Petition for Naturalization records. All of the other images in the image set should be classified as Cover page, Section header, etc form types.

In order to determine which type of grouping you have downloaded you will need to look at the images in the image set before beginning to key.

Certificate of Citizenship

A Certificate of Citizenship form is not an actual certificate, but rather a bookkeeping record of a Certificate that was issued. Almost every document of this type will start with the phrase, "Be it Remembered."If you see a Certificate of Citizenship laid on top of a Petition for Naturalization or Declaration of Intention, do not key from the Certificate of Citizenship. Instead, mark that image as a "Cover page".

Prefix

Refer to all occurrences of the individual's name on the document to help determine the name in full. Key any titles before the Given name, such as "Dr", "Rev", "Mr" or "Mrs", using the provided dictionary for assistance. If a prefix does not appear in a dictionary then key the prefix as seen.
See Example

Given

Refer to all occurrences of the individual's name on the document to help determine the name in full. Key the first name or initial and any middle names of the primary person to whom the record pertains using the provided dictionary for assistance. If a name does not appear in the dictionary then key the name as seen.
See Example

Surname

Refer to all occurrences of the individual's name on the document to help determine the name in full. The Surname is the last name of the primary person to whom the record applies. Capture the Surname using the dictionary provided for assistance. If the surname does not appear in the dictionary then key the surname as seen.
See Example

Suffix

Refer to all occurrences of the individual's name on the document to help determine the name in full. Key all titles, such as "Jr" or "III", following the surname of the primary person to whom the record applies using a dictionary if provided for assistance. If a suffix does not appear in a dictionary then key the suffix as seen.
See Example

Alias Given

Occasionally an alternate name may be recorded for a given individual. This name may be denoted by parentheses, quotation marks, or may be preceded by the word "nee". Key the first name or initial and any middle names using a dictionary if provided for assistance. If an alias given name does not appear in the dictionary then key the alias given name as seen.
See Example

Alias Surname

Occasionally an alternate name may be recorded for a given individual. This name may be denoted by parentheses, quotation marks, or may be preceded by the abbreviation "for" or the words "nee" or "formerly". Key any Alias Surname which appears. All the rules for keying a primary name should also be followed for keying any alias name.
See Example

Birth Location

Enter the country of origin or nativity of the primary individual in this field. In some cases, the record taker may have recorded an allegiance, such as Queen of England. If you can determine the country, please record that, otherwise, please leave the field blank. If there is more than one country given, enter all of them, separated by commas.
See Example

Event Day

The Event Date is the date the petition was exhibited in court. Enter the day of the month here. Please only use numbers, even if written in word form on the record.
See Example

Event Month

The Event Date is the date the petition was exhibited in court. Enter the full name of the month, even if abbreivated or written numerically on the record.
See Example

Event Year

The Event Date is the date the petition was exhibited in court. Key only numbers, even if the year is written out as words on the record. Expand two-digit years to four digits if you feel confident in your determination of the century.
See Example

Declaration of Intention

Please classify any document that has the words "Declaration of Intention" near the top of the page as a Declaration of Intention form type.

Prefix

Refer to all occurrences of the individual's name on the document to help determine the name in full. Key any titles before the Given name, such as "Dr", "Rev", "Mr" or "Mrs", using the provided dictionary for assistance. If a prefix does not appear in a dictionary then key the prefix as seen.
See Example

Given

Refer to all occurrences of the individual's name on the document to help determine the name in full. Key the first name or initial and any middle names of the primary person to whom the record pertains using the provided dictionary for assistance. If a name does not appear in the dictionary then key the name as seen.
See Example

Surname

Refer to all occurrences of the individual's name on the document to help determine the name in full. The Surname is the last name of the primary person to whom the record applies. Capture the Surname using the dictionary provided for assistance. If the surname does not appear in the dictionary then key the surname as seen.
See Example

Suffix

Refer to all occurrences of the individual's name on the document to help determine the name in full. Key all titles, such as "Jr" or "III", following the surname of the primary person to whom the record applies using a dictionary if provided for assistance. If a suffix does not appear in a dictionary then key the suffix as seen.
See Example

Alias Given

Occasionally an alternate name may be recorded for a given individual. This name may be denoted by parentheses, quotation marks, or may be preceded by the word "nee". Key the first name or initial and any middle names using a dictionary if provided for assistance. If an alias given name does not appear in the dictionary then key the alias given name as seen.
See Example

Alias Surname

Occasionally an alternate name may be recorded for a given individual. This name may be denoted by parentheses, quotation marks, or may be preceded by the abbreviation "for" or the words "nee" or "formerly". Key any Alias Surname which appears. All the rules for keying a primary name should also be followed for keying any alias name.
See Example

Birth Location

Enter the birthplace of the primary individual. Enter multiple locations separated by a comma. However, key as seen. For example, an entry that says "Luchka, Czechoslovakia (Austria-Hungary)", should be keyed exactly like that.
See Example

Birth Day

Enter the day from the date of birth. Please use only numbers.
See Example

Birth Month

Enter the name of the month from the date of birth. Key the name of the month in full, even if abbreviated or written numerically on the record.
See Example

Birth Year

Key the two or four digit number designated as the birth year in the birth date. The Year must be either two or four digits. If only two-digits are given, and you can determine the century, expand to four digits, otherwise leave as a two-digit year.
See Example

Age

Key the age of the primary individual only if a date of birth is not given. Do not record months or fractions. Enter the age only in terms of years.
See Example

Arrival Year

Enter the four-digit year the person arrived in the United States. On Declaration forms this information can be found towards the bottom of the document in an area that states the port and date of arrival into the country. If only two-digits are given, and you can determine the century, expand to four digits, otherwise leave as a two-digit year.
See Example

Spouse Given

When present, enter the first name or initial and any middle names of the spouse of the primary person. Key the Spouse Given name using the dictionary provided for assistance. If a spouse given name does not appear in the dictionary then key the spouse given name as seen.
See Example

Spouse Surname

When present, enter the surname of the spouse of the primary person. Key the Spouse Surname using the dictionary provided for assistance. If a spouse surname does not appear in the dictionary then key the name as seen.
See Example

Children

Enter the full name of any child or children recorded on the image, as written on in the field. Please do not infer surnames from any other part of the document. Please only enter the names as they appear on the image, and separate children's names with commas.
See Example

Event Day

The Event Date is the date the Declaration was signed. This information can typically be found at the very bottom of the document, next to the signatures of the court clerks. Enter the day of the month, using only numbers. If no Declaration date can be found or determined, leave the date blank.
See Example

Event Month

The Event Date is the date the Declaration was signed. This information can typically be found at the very bottom of the document, next to the signatures of the court clerks. Enter the name of the month in full, even if abbreviated or written numerically on the record. If no Declaration date can be found or determined, leave the date blank.
See Example

Event Year

The Event Date is the date the Declaration was signed. This information can typically be found at the very bottom of the document, next to the signatures of the court clerks. Enter the four-digit year. Expand two-digit years to four digits only if you feel confident in your determination of the century. Otherwise, key years written as two-digits, as two-digits. If no Declaration date can be found or determined, leave the date blank.
See Example

Form Stub

Form stubs are smaller pieces of paper from naturalization certificates issued to new citizens. Later Form Stubs look like 3x5 index cards. Earlier Form Stubs are long and rectangular. Both types show the certificate number and citizen's name near the top of the form. Often a perforated edge where the stub was torn from the book can be seen. The earlier forms also include information such as names of spouse and children that are not included on the later forms.Please do not confuse these forms with Certificates of Arrival. Certificates of Arrival are not to be keyed.

Prefix

Refer to all occurrences of the individual's name on the document to help determine the name in full. Key any titles before the Given name, such as "Dr", "Rev", "Mr" or "Mrs", using the provided dictionary for assistance. If a prefix does not appear in a dictionary then key the prefix as seen.
See Example

Given

Refer to all occurrences of the individual's name on the document to help determine the name in full. Key the first name or initial and any middle names of the primary person to whom the record pertains using the provided dictionary for assistance. If a name does not appear in the dictionary then key the name as seen.
See Example

Surname

Refer to all occurrences of the individual's name on the document to help determine the name in full. The Surname is the last name of the primary person to whom the record applies. Capture the Surname using the dictionary provided for assistance. If the surname does not appear in the dictionary then key the surname as seen.
See Example

Suffix

Refer to all occurrences of the individual's name on the document to help determine the name in full. Key all titles, such as "Jr" or "III", following the surname of the primary person to whom the record applies using a dictionary if provided for assistance. If a suffix does not appear in a dictionary then key the suffix as seen.
See Example

Alias Given

Occasionally an alternate name may be recorded for a given individual. This name may be denoted by parentheses, quotation marks, or may be preceded by the word "nee". Key the first name or initial and any middle names using a dictionary if provided for assistance. If an alias given name does not appear in the dictionary then key the alias given name as seen.
See Example

Alias Surname

Occasionally an alternate name may be recorded for a given individual. This name may be denoted by parentheses, quotation marks, or may be preceded by the abbreviation "for" or the words "nee" or "formerly". Key any Alias Surname which appears. All the rules for keying a primary name should also be followed for keying any alias name.
See Example

Age

Enter the age of the primary person. Do not record months or fractions.
See Example

Spouse Given

Only the long, rectangular Form Stubs include the spouse's name. Enter the first name or initial and any middle names of the spouse of the primary person to whom the record applies. Key the Spouse Given name using the dictionary provided for assistance. If a spouse given name does not appear in the dictionary then key the spouse given name as seen.
See Example

Spouse Surname

Only the long, rectangular Form Stubs include the spouse's name. Key the surname of the spouse as it appears on the record, using the drop-down list to help.
See Example

Children

Only the long, rectangular Form Stubs include names of children. Enter the full name (given and surname) of any child or children recorded in the field labled, "Names, ages, and places of residence of minor children." Enter the names as seen. Please do not infer surnames from any other part of the document. Please only enter the names as they appear on the image, and separate children's names with commas.
See Example

Event Day

The Event Date is the "Date of Order" located at the bottom of the long, rectangular forms, or the "Date of Order of Admission" on the 3x5 looking index cards.Enter the day portion of the date. Please only use numbers.
See Example

Event Month

The Event Date is the "Date of Order" located at the bottom of the long, rectangular forms, or the "Date of Order of Admission" on the 3x5 looking index cards.Enter the name of the month in full, even if abbreviated or written numerically on the form.
See Example

Event Year

The Event Date is the "Date of Order" located at the bottom of the long, rectangular forms, or the "Date of Order of Admission" on the 3x5 looking index cards.Enter the four-digit year of the Date of Order. Expand two-digit years to four digits if you can clearly determine the century. Otherwise, key as seen.
See Example

List from Court

Lists of names that should be keyed will have a title at the top of the page. The title will be something similar to "Citizenship Petitions Granted", "Naturalization Petitions Recommended to be Denied", or "Order of Court Granting Petitions for Naturalization". The date of the document will be at the bottom of the page.

Prefix

Refer to all occurrences of the individual's name on the document to help determine the name in full. Key any titles before the Given name, such as "Dr", "Rev", "Mr" or "Mrs", using the provided dictionary for assistance. If a prefix does not appear in a dictionary then key the prefix as seen.
See Example

Given

Refer to all occurrences of the individual's name on the document to help determine the name in full. Key the first name or initial and any middle names of the primary person to whom the record pertains using the provided dictionary for assistance. If a name does not appear in the dictionary then key the name as seen.
See Example

Surname

Refer to all occurrences of the individual's name on the document to help determine the name in full. The Surname is the last name of the primary person to whom the record applies. Capture the Surname using the dictionary provided for assistance. If the surname does not appear in the dictionary then key the surname as seen.
See Example

Suffix

Refer to all occurrences of the individual's name on the document to help determine the name in full. Key all titles, such as "Jr" or "III", following the surname of the primary person to whom the record applies using a dictionary if provided for assistance. If a suffix does not appear in a dictionary then key the suffix as seen.
See Example

Alias Given

Occasionally an alternate name may be recorded for a given individual. This name may be denoted by parentheses, quotation marks, or may be preceded by the word "nee". On the "List from Court" form type, alternate names may be listed in a column called "Change of Name To". Enter any name changes listed in that column here. Key the first name or initial and any middle names using a dictionary if provided for assistance. If an alias given name does not appear in the dictionary then key the alias given name as seen.
See Example

Alias Surname

Occasionally an alternate name may be recorded for a given individual. This name may be denoted by parentheses, quotation marks, or may be preceded by the abbreviation "for" or the words "nee" or "formerly". On the "List from Court" form type, alternate names may be listed in a column called "Change of Name To". Enter any name changes listed in that column here. Key any Alias Surname which appears. All the rules for keying a primary name should also be followed for keying any alias name.
See Example

Event Day

The Event Date is the date the document was created by the court. This information can be found at the bottom of the record, after the words, "By the court", or "Respectfully submitted". Enter the day of the month, using only numbers.If no court date can be found or determined, key from the most recent date on the record. This may be any date, including accepted, denied, and rejected dates.
See Example

Event Month

The Event Date is the date the document was created by the court. This information can be found at the bottom of the record, after the words, "By the court", or "Respectfully submitted". Enter the name of the month in full, even if abbreviated or written numerically on the record.If no court date can be found or determined, key from the most recent date on the record. This may be any date, including accepted, denied, and rejected dates.
See Example

Event Year

The Event Date is the date the document was created by the court. This information can be found at the bottom of the record, after the words, "By the court", or "Respectfully submitted". Enter the four-digit year. Expand two-digit years to four digits only if you feel confident in your determination of the century.If no court date can be found or determined, key from the most recent date on the record. This may be any date, including accepted, denied, and rejected dates.
See Example

Petition of Naturalization

Please classify any document that has the words "Petition for Naturalization" near the top of the page as a Petition for Naturalization form type. There are multiple layouts for this form type.

Prefix

The primary person is the Petitioner. Refer to all occurrences of the individual's name on the document to help determine the name in full. Key any titles before the Given name, such as "Dr", "Rev", "Mr" or "Mrs", using the provided dictionary for assistance. If a prefix does not appear in a dictionary then key the prefix as seen.
See Example

Given

The primary person is the Petitioner. Refer to all occurrences of the individual's name on the document to help determine the name in full. Key the first name or initial and any middle names of the primary person to whom the record pertains using the provided dictionary for assistance. If a name does not appear in the dictionary then key the name as seen.
See Example

Surname

The primary person is the Petitioner. Refer to all occurrences of the individual's name on the document to help determine the name in full. The Surname is the last name of the primary person to whom the record applies. Capture the Surname using the dictionary provided for assistance. If the surname does not appear in the dictionary then key the surname as seen.
See Example

Suffix

The primary person is the Petitioner. Refer to all occurrences of the individual's name on the document to help determine the name in full. Key all titles, such as "Jr" or "III", following the surname of the primary person to whom the record applies using a dictionary if provided for assistance. If a suffix does not appear in a dictionary then key the suffix as seen.
See Example

Alias Given

The primary person is the Petitioner. Occasionally an alternate name may be recorded for a given individual. This name may be denoted by parentheses, quotation marks, or may be preceded by the word "nee". Key the first name or initial and any middle names using a dictionary if provided for assistance. If an alias given name does not appear in the dictionary then key the alias given name as seen.
See Example

Alias Surname

The primary person is the Petitioner. Occasionally an alternate name may be recorded for a given individual. This name may be denoted by parentheses, quotation marks, or may be preceded by the abbreviation "for" or the words "nee" or "formerly". Key any Alias Surname which appears. All the rules for keying a primary name should also be followed for keying any alias name.
See Example

Birth Location

Enter the birthplace of the primary individual in this field. Key all locations, separated by a comma. For example, if "Rome Italy" is written on the form, key this as "Rome, Italy". In some cases, the record taker may have recorded an allegiance, such as Queen of England. If you can determine the country, please record that, otherwise, please leave the field blank. If there is more than one country given, enter all of them, separated by commas.
See Example

Birth Day

Enter the day from the date of birth. Please use only numbers.
See Example

Birth Month

Enter the name of the month from the date of birth. Key the name of the month in full, even if abbreviated or written numerically on the record.
See Example

Birth Year

Key the two or four digit number designated as the birth year in the birth date. The Year must be either two or four digits. If only two-digits are given, and you can determine the century, expand to four digits, otherwise leave as a two-digit year.
See Example

Spouse Given

When present, enter the first name or initial and any middle names of the spouse of the primary person. Key the Spouse Given name using the dictionary provided for assistance. If a spouse given name does not appear in the dictionary then key the spouse given name as seen.
See Example

Spouse Surname

When present, enter the surname of the spouse of the primary person. Key the Spouse Surname using the dictionary provided for assistance. If a spouse surname does not appear in the dictionary then key the name as seen.
See Example

Children

Enter the full name of any child or children recorded on the image, as written on in the field. Please do not infer surnames from any other part of the document. Please only enter the names as they appear on the image, and separate children's names with commas.
See Example

Arrival Year

Enter the four-digit year the person arrived in the United States. This information may appear in the middle or at the bottom of the document in an area referencing the individual's immigration history.If only two-digits are given for the year, and you can determine the century, expand to four digits, otherwise leave as a two-digit year.
See Example

Event Day

The Event Date is the date the Petition for Naturalization was submitted. This information can be found at the bottom of the document. Make sure to key the date when the petitioner submitted the paperwork, not the date the the paperwork was "subscribed and sworn" before the court clerks. Enter the day of the month, using only numbers. If no submission date can be found or determined, key from the most recent date on the card. This may be any date, including accepted, denied, and rejected dates. If there is no record date at the bottom of the form, please leave blank.
See Example

Event Month

The Event Date is the date the Petition for Naturalization was submitted. This information can be found at the bottom of the document. Make sure to key the date when the petitioner submitted the paperwork, not the date the the paperwork was "subscribed and sworn" before the court clerks.Enter the name of the month in full, even if abbreviated or written numerically on the record.If no submission date can be found or determined, key from the most recent date on the card. This may be any date, including accepted, denied, and rejected dates. If there is no record date at the bottom of the form, please leave blank.
See Example

Event Year

The Event Date is the date the Petition for Naturalization was submitted. This information can be found at the bottom of the document. Make sure to key the date when the petitioner submitted the paperwork, not the date the the paperwork was "subscribed and sworn" before the court clerks. Enter the four-digit year. Expand two-digit years to four digits only if you feel confident in your determination of the century. If no submission date can be found or determined, key from the most recent date on the card. This may be any date, including accepted, denied, and rejected dates. If there is no record date at the bottom of the form, please leave blank.
See Example